Cape Town's popularity has produced an ever-expanding list of accommodations options, and many seasoned globetrotters contend it offers the best selection of guesthouses in the world, though over the years its reputation as a great-value destination has been somewhat tarnished by a handful of greedy operators. Which is why I am delighted to report that -- finally, after a decade of wallet-stripping increases -- rates have finally stabilized.
The City Bowl (which denotes the residential suburbs on the slopes of Table Mountain), the V&A Waterfront, and Camps Bay remain the most popular areas to stay; most options listed have great views and/or good access to restaurants, attractions, and beaches. If you're traveling between May and September, it's worth checking on low-season (or "green-season") rates, but with the city's popularity spreading throughout the year, discounted rates may be harder to come by.
Note: The airport is no more than a 20- to 30-minute drive from most hotels, so it's not necessary to move to an airport hotel for early-morning or late-night flights. All the places listed will arrange airport transfers.
Great Self-Catering Options
Renting an apartment or home is a good value option, particularly for families, and thanks to Mr Delivery, you won't even have to cook. A good option is Cote-Sud Apartments (tel. 021/422-5124; www.cotesud.co.za; R600-R900/$83-$125/£43-£64 for two, depending on season) -- four tasteful two-bedroom apartments with separate entrances and a communal pool conveniently located on busy Kloof Street (plenty of dining options within walking distance and literally a stone's throw from an excellent pizzeria and useful minimart). Proprietor Robyn is very flexible, so it's worth dealing with her directly; book an upstairs apartment for views. Located in the city's hippest urban suburbs, Village & Life (tel. 021/438-3972; www.villageandlife.com) runs a variety of self-catering accommodations options (almost all featured on their website), in four "villages": De Waterkant, Camps Bay, Mouille Point, and the Waterfront. All three are within walking distance of coffee shops and restaurants. Platinum Places specializes in modern apartments in the city center and Green Point (www.platinumplaces.co.za); again conveniently located near restaurants and shops. Icon Villas and Vistas (tel. 021/424-0905; www.icape.co.za) deals with a broad spectrum of well-dressed apartments and luxury villas in upmarket suburbs throughout the city and as far afield as the Winelands, Hermanus, and the Garden Route. The company covers an equally broad price range (R500-R5,000/$70-$695/£35-£355 per day in winter, R850-R15,000/$120-$2,085/£60-£1,070 in summer), and will arrange au pairs, chefs, and chauffeurs, or help with any bookings. Another website worth checking is www.cliftononsea.com, which offers an excellent range of accommodations options sleeping from 2 to 10 people, most with pools and all with superb sea and sunset views of Africa's "Côte d'Azur." Prices range from R500 to R5,000 ($70-$695/£35-£355) per person per night.
B&B Ubuntu
To experience real ubuntu and the warm spirit of African hospitality, you can arrange to spend a night in one of the city's "townships," or black suburbs. Portfolio has approved four B&Bs (Kopanong, Majoro's, Luyolo's, and Malebo's) and recommends that you combine your transfer and overnight stay with a Township Music Tour (for bookings, call tel. 021/426-4260). Khayalitsha now even has its very own backpackers lodge (R100/$14/£7 per night), called eKasie, located near Kopanong; for a totally different cultural experience, a night at one of these establishments cannot be recommended highly enough.
